By Kizito CUDJOE
A total of eight illegal miners were killed and one seriously injured, last weekend, after a group of about 60 attempted to forcibly enter the Deep Decline area of the AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, authorities have said.
The incident occurred after the illegal miners breached security fences surrounding the mine, leading to a confrontation with soldiers deployed under Operation HALT II to protect the facility.
Media reports indicate that AngloGold Ashanti has issued updated security guidelines to its employees and contractors.
Business activities in the Obuasi township have reportedly returned to normal operations under a certain level of uneasy calm.
According to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), the group fired upon the soldiers when they attempted to stop the intrusion. “The illegal miners were armed with locally manufactured rifles, pump-action guns, gas cylinders, knives, heavy-duty industrial bolt cutters, axes and machetes.”
In response, the soldiers returned fire in self-defense, resulting in the deaths of “seven illegal miners and injuries to one”. The remaining miners fled the scene. A soldier was also injured during the clash but has since received medical treatment, GAF confirmed.
Authorities retrieved six pump-action guns and BB cartridges from the scene.
Presidential directive
President John Dramani Mahama has ordered an investigation into the incident to ensure that any individual to have acted unlawfully is brought to justice.
“The security agencies have been tasked to take prompt action to restore peace in the area and implement measures to prevent similar occurrences,” a statement from the President’s spokesperson said.
The President also directed AngloGold Ashanti to fully cover the medical expenses of the injured and facilitate burial arrangements for those who died.
AngloGold Ashanti’s response
In a statement issued on Sunday, December 19, AngloGold Ashanti Ghana confirmed the incident, describing it as an attack by a large group of armed illegal miners attempting to gain unauthorised access to mine infrastructure.
“Authorities mobilised to defend against this attack and to ensure the safety and security of employees and those in the immediate surroundings,” the statement said.
The company noted that the situation at the mine has since stabilised, with normal operations resuming under heightened security.
“Our primary concern is the safety and health of all employees and community members impacted by this incident,” it added.
GNASSM condemns shooting
Meanwhile, the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM) has condemned the violence in a statement, extending condolences to the families of the deceased and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
“While the GNASSM does not encourage or condone trespassing on mining concessions, we strongly believe the military could have employed alternative measures to apprehend the trespassers rather than engaging in a firefight,” the association said.
The association criticised the use of force, calling it a violation of human rights and inconsistent with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPSHR), which guide mining companies on community safety and harm prevention.
The GNASSM welcomed the President’s directive to investigate the clash and emphasised the need for dialogue among stakeholders to resolve tensions between Obuasi’s youth and AngloGold Ashanti.
Broader context and next steps
The AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, one of Ghana’s largest gold mining operations, has repeatedly been challenged by illegal mining activities.
Local media reported that following the incident, some members of the group rampaged through parts of the Obuasi township, destroying property. However, business activities have resumed under uneasy calm.
The military has cautioned that personnel on authorised duty have the right to defend themselves, civilians and property, including the use of lethal force if necessary. It also warned illegal miners to refrain from entering restricted mining areas to avoid further confrontations.
The latest from sources on the grounds indicate that security meetings are ongoing locally; whereas in Accra, the Ghana Chamber of Mines is said to be in an emergency meeting surrounding the issue as at the time of going to the press.
